One way valve assembly

ABSTRACT

A one way valve assembly flows a sterile flowable substance from a source to an outlet orifice and prevents any backflow of contaminants through the one way valve assembly when the flowable substance ceases to flow. The valve assembly includes an elastomeric membrane which aids in preventing any backflow of contaminants when dispensing of the flowable substance is stopped.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/417,101, filedApr. 2, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/949,154, filedDec. 3, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,396, which is a continuation ofU.S. Ser. No. 11/267,868, filed Nov. 3, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No.7,306,129, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a one way valve assembly fordispensing a sterile flowable substance while preventing any backflow ofcontaminants into the source of the flowable substance. The valveassembly includes a valve body enclosed by a pressure displaceableflexible member or elastomeric member for effecting the passage of theflowable substance to a controllable outlet while preventing anybackflow to the source of the flowable substance after dispensingindividual portions of the flowable substance.

In the past, to maintain the flowable substance free of contaminants,preservatives have been mixed in the flowable substance in the containerfrom which it is to be dispensed. The use of preservatives is an addedexpense and tends to limit the effectiveness of the flowable substance,particularly when the flowable substance is a pharmaceutical such as aneye care solution or it is a food stuff.

Another consideration is the ability of the valve assembly to deliver aselected amount to the outlet without causing any damage to the user,such as when applying an eye care solution directly into the eye. Inrecent years, flexible membranes have been used to control the flow ofthe flowable substance to the valve assembly outlet while preventing anybackflow to the source of the flowable substance, however, it has beendifficult to provide an effective procedure for manufacturing the valveassembly and limiting its costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide avalve assembly for conveying a flowable substance from a closed source,such as a collapsible container while preventing any backflow ofcontaminants through the valve assembly into the source of the flowablesubstance after a portion of the substance has been dispensed.

The collapsible container can be a bellows type, a tube, an internal bagor other type of collapsible form designed to dispense practically allof its contents. The container has a normally closed controllable outletsurface for dispensing a flow of the flowable substance out of the valveassembly. The container is in sealed contact with the valve assembly sothat its contents do not receive any contaminants when the flowablesubstance is dispensed.

Dispensation of the flowable substance is effected by applying pressureto the container so that its contents flow to the valve assembly. Thecontents may be a pharmaceutical, such as an eye care solution or othersubstance which must be kept free of contaminants during dispensing amultiple number of dispensed amounts. Other flowable substances can befood stuffs or beverages, cosmetics, or other flowable substancesintended to be maintained free of contaminants during the dispensingoperation. The container may be protected by a housing so that pressureis not accidentally applied.

The valve assembly is an axially extending structure open to thecontainer of the flowable substance. The valve assembly is formed of anaxially extending inner core open to the container and formed of a rigidplastic component. The interior of the core has a passageway forreceiving the flowable substance from the container. At least one portextending from the passageway affords an opening for conveying theflowable substance out of the inner core.

Tightly enclosing the inner core is an axially extending flexiblemembrane covering the outlet end of the port through the inner core. Theflexible membrane moves outwardly from the inner core when the flowablesubstance is pressurized and passes through the port and flows towardthe outlet end of flexible membrane.

Laterally outwardly from the flexible membrane is a valve cover endingin the controllable outlet orifice. The pressurized flowable substancetravels between the radially outwardly extended flexible membrane andthe outer surface of the inner core and flows to the controllable outletorifice. The outlet orifice can provide for a limited amount of theflowable substance to be dispensed.

An over cap covers the exterior of the valve cover to protect the valveassembly during storage, and to avoid accidental dispensing.

A collar joins the valve assembly to the container and affords a sealedarrangement preventing any flow of contaminants into the container.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operation, advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described a preferredembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an axially extending view of a one way valve assemblyembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the one way valve assembly shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 a is an enlarged axially extending partial view of the one wayvalve assembly in the at rest position;

FIG. 3 b is a partial view similar to FIG. 3 a, however, with the oneway valve assembly in the dispensing position; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial axially extending view of the dispensingend of the one way valve assembly shown in FIG. 3 b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1 the one way valve assembly 1 is composed of a bellowscontainer or source 2 holding a sterile flowable substance, a valveassembly 3 for conveying the flowable substance from the container 2 toan outlet when pressure is applied to the container 2 and an over cap 15covering the valve assembly 3 to prevent contamination from entering thevalve assembly 3 during storage.

The bellows container 2 collapses when pressure is applied to thecontainer, however, other containers may be used such as a tube or aninternal bag in a container which permit multi-dose dispensation of theflowable substance without contamination entering the containerfollowing the dispensing procedure.

The flowable substance may be a pharmaceutical, such as a eye caresolution, a food stuff, such as products or juices, and a cosmetic, suchas a skin care solution or toiletries, and liquid vitamins, all of whichare intended to be maintained free of contaminants from the ambientatmosphere.

The bellows container or source 2 is laterally enclosed by an axiallyextending housing 6 to provide better ergonomic control duringdispensing. A slot 6 a extending axially in the housing 6 permits a userto gain access to an actuator 2 a of the container as the flowablesubstance is pressed out.

A collar 8 connects the valve body 3 to the container 2 affording ascaled connection so that ambient contaminants cannot pass into thecontainer 2.

The valve assembly 3 has an axially extending inner core 10 bearingagainst the opening of the container 2 so that flow from the containerenters into an axially extending blind passageway 11 in the inner core.The passageway 11 extends for a major portion of the axial length of theinner core. At approximately half the length of the passageway 11 theinner core has at least one port 12 extending transversely of thepassageway axis from the surface of the passageway to the outer surfaceof the inner core 10. The inner core 10 is formed of a rigid plasticmaterial and terminates inwardly of the outlet end of the valve body.

A flexible membrane 13, such as an elastomeric member, is fitted tightlyover the outer surface of the inner core and extends from the opening inthe container 2 to the opposite end of the inner core 10. As can benoted in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the thickness of the membrane is variablealong its axial length and in the region of the outlet end of the innercore has an axially extending continuous uninterrupted annular bandconsiderably thicker than the remainder of the flexible membrane 13,that is, the band is not separated in the axial direction by axiallyextending cuts.

At its end adjacent the opening from the container, the flexiblemembrane 13 has an outwardly extending flange bearing against a flangeon the inner core is located at the opening from the container.

An axially extending valve cover 14 encircles the flexible membrane 13and as shown in the rest position in FIG. 2 a is spaced radiallyoutwardly from the outer surface of the flexible membrane. The end ofthe valve cover 14 adjacent the container 2 has a radially outwardlyextending flange 14 a bearing against the flange at the end of theflexible membrane effecting the seal for the valve body at the openingfrom the container 2.

The valve cover 14 is formed of an inner layer of an elastomericmaterial extending axially from its flange 14 a to and over the outletend of the valve body 3. The elastomeric material forms a soft cover 7over the outlet end of the increased thickness which is particularlyadvantageous when the valve assembly is used for dispensing an eye caresolution. Such a soft cover 7 prevents any damage to the eye.

The soft cover 7 has an outlet orifice 7 a for dispensing the flowablesubstance. The outlet orifice is closed in the rest position of the oneway valve assembly, however, when the flowable substance is beingdispensed and exits the outlet end of the flexible membrane, it flowsradially inward to the outlet orifice which then opens allowing thesubstance to flow out of the valve assembly. When the flowable substanceis dispensed and pressure on the source is withdrawn the outlet orifice7 a closes blocking any backflow into the valve assembly.

By selectively dimensioning the outlet orifice 7 a a drop-like amount ofthe flowable substance can be dispensed, for example if an eye caresolution is being dispensed. If a greater amount of the flowablesubstance is to be dispensed the outlet orifice 7 a can be formed fordispensing a larger quantity of the flowable substance. The outerorifice 7 a can be formed to provide a spray or a stream of the flowablesubstance.

An over cap 15 is placed over the valve assembly when it is not in useprotecting it from contact with ambient contaminants and for unintendeddispensing.

When the flowable substance is to be dispensed, the over cap 15 isremoved and pressure is applied to the actuator 2 a of the container sothat an amount of the flowable substance passes out of the containerinto the passageway 11 in the inner core 10. The substance flows throughat least one port 12 and expands the flexible membrane 13 radiallyoutwardly and flows toward the outlet end of the flexible membrane whereit exits from the flexible membrane radially inwardly into the outletorifice 7 a in the cover and is dispensed.

By releasing the pressure on the actuator 2 a of the container, thedispensing operation is terminated and the flexible membrane 13 returnsinwardly into contact with the outer surface of the inner core 10. Theinward movement of the flexible membrane start at its outlet end becauseof its increased thickness and affords gradual contact with the outersurface of the inner core returning any flowable substance through theports back into the container whereby contaminants cannot enter thecontainer.

Dispensing individual portions of the flowable substance can becontinued until the container is almost completely emptied.

As mentioned, a variety of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food stuffs andother flowable materials can be dispensed where it is important tomaintain them free of contaminants from the ambient atmosphere. Theflowable characteristics of the material being dispensed determines thetype and dimension of the valve body.

The material forming the outlet orifice 7 a does not absorb the flowablesubstance, any substance entering the outlet orifice is ejected and doesnot return into the space between the inner core and the flexiblemembrane.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A one way valve assembly for dispensing aflowable substance comprising: a source for the flowable substancehaving an opening; a valve assembly connected to the opening from thesource for receiving the flowable substance from said source and fordispensing the flowable substance, said valve assembly comprising: anaxially extending inner core having an inlet opening for receiving theflowable substance from said source, an axially extending flexiblemembrane tightly fitted over an outer surface of said inner core, saidinner core having an axially extending passageway in communication withsaid source for receiving the flowable substance from said source, atleast one port opening from said passageway to an inner surface of saidflexible membrane for expanding said membrane outwardly from said outersurface of said inner core; an axially extending cover enclosing andspaced laterally outwardly from an outer surface of said flexiblemembrane, said cover having an outlet orifice at an end of said innercore for dispensing the flowable substance from the valve assembly;wherein: when pressure is applied to the source said flowable substanceflows from the source into the passageway in said inner core and out ofsaid at least one port, thus expanding said flexible membrane, andbetween said outer surface of said core and said inner surface of saidflexible membrane into said outlet orifice, and when the pressure onsaid source is released said flexible membrane moves back into tightlyfitting contact with the outer surface of said inner core, and whereinsaid flexible membrane has a variable wall thickness and becomes thickerat the axial end of said membrane adjacent said outlet orifice.
 2. A oneway valve assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said membrane (13)has an axially extending uninterrupted continuous band at the axial endof said membrane adjacent the outlet in said cover completely encirclingsaid core.
 3. A one way valve assembly, as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid membrane (13) has a radially outwardly extending flange at the endthereof adjacent the inlet opening of said inner core, and said coverhaving a radially outwardly extending flange pressing said flange onsaid membrane into fluid tight contact with a radially outwardlyextending flange at the inlet opening into said inner core.
 4. A one wayvalve assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said outlet orificefrom said inner core being in direct flow with the axial end of saidmembrane adjacent said cover and said outlet orifice (7 a) in said coverarranged to dispense a selected quantity of the flowable substance.
 5. Aone way valve assembly, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said outletorifice in said cover being formed of a soft flexible material.
 6. A oneway valve assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve cover(14) being formed of an inner axially extending flexible memberlaterally enclosed by an axially extending rigid plastic shell.
 7. A oneway valve assembly, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said plastic shellhaving a radially outwardly extending flange bearing against a radiallyoutwardly extending flange on said flexible member of said valve coveradjacent said inlet opening to said inner core.
 8. A one way valveassembly, as set forth in claim 7, wherein means are arranged forpressing said flanges on said plastic shell and said flexible member ofsaid valve cover against said flange on said flexible member foreffecting the fluid tight contact with said flexible membrane.
 9. A oneway valve assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said meanscomprises a collar or connector member (8) for securing said valve bodyto said closed source.
 10. A one way valve assembly, as set forth inclaim 1 wherein an overcap (15) is arranged to fit over and form a sealwith said valve assembly to prevent external contamination of said valvebody during storage and to protect against unintended dispensing of theflowable substance.
 11. The one way valve assembly of claim 1, whereinat least two said ports (12) extend from said passageway (11) to theinner surface of said flexible membrane (13), and said passagewayextending from said ports toward and spaced axially from an end of saidinner core with said passageway (11) forming a blind path beyond saidports spaced from said container.
 12. A one way valve assembly, as setforth in claim 1, wherein said closed source (2) comprises a collapsiblereservoir reducible in volume in proportion as the flowable substance ispressed out of said reservoir.
 13. A one way valve assembly, so setforth in claim 12, wherein said collapsible reservoir is one of abellows, a tube and an internal bag.
 14. A one way valve assembly, asset forth in claim 13, wherein an axially extending housing (6)laterally encloses said collapsible reservoir.
 15. A one way valveassembly, as set forth in claim 14, wherein said housing has a slotextending in the axial direction for applying dispensing pressure to anactuator (2 a) of said collapsible reservoir.
 16. A one way valveassembly, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said cover (7) has a normallyclosed outlet orifice (7 a) which opens for dispensing the flowablesubstance from said cover when dispensing pressure is applied to thecollapsible reservoir.
 17. A one way valve assembly, as set forth inclaim 16, wherein said outlet orifice in said cover (7) is impervious tothe flowable substance and does not retain the flowable substanceinwardly of the outlet orifice (7 a).
 18. The one way valve assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the outlet orifice is selectively dimensioned todispense one of: a drop, a spray and a stream.